Last season, the Cleveland Browns defense was one of the few positive takeaways from the team's 5-12 campaign. Despite offensive struggles and inconsistent special teams play, the defense was consistently one of Cleveland's strengths.
That strength will be tested in 2026 following the franchise's decision to trade Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. The Browns won't be able to replace Garrett's impact with one player, though new arrival Jared Verse is doing his part as an emerging leader for that unit.
Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN recently emphasized how Cleveland’s defense fully expects to continue its high standard, even with Garrett in L.A.
"This is a group that still thinks it's going to be one of the better — and really one of the best — defenses in the NFL," Oyefusi said. "You get Jared Verse back [in the trade] to lead that defensive front. You've got the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year in Carson Schwesinger, and one of the best secondaries in the NFL with Denzel Ward who just got paid, Grant Delpit who just got paid. ... This is going to be a defense that is flying to the ball. ... They still think they're going to be really, really good despite losing Myles Garrett."
The Browns defense still believes it's one of the NFL's best
Obviously, the Browns no longer have a generational pass rusher in Garrett, and he could very well be the piece to push the Rams to be Super Bowl champions once again. He’s an all-time talent, as Browns fans know.
But as Oyefusi stressed, this Browns defense still has plenty of reason for optimism. It ranked No. 4 in average yards allowed last season, including No. 3 in pass defense, and was also No. 5 in defensive EPA per play, per SumerSports.
Verse is a heck of a young edge player in his own right who will only get better as he gets more refined. Alex Wright could be due for a breakout season on the edge. Mason Graham is ready to take the next step as an interior disruptor. And Maliek Collins, once he gets back healthy, can be a force inside. Plus, Mike Hall Jr. has gotten rave reviews early in training camp.
From there, Carson Schwesinger should cement himself this season as one of the game’s top linebackers. Quincy Williams is poised to make tons of plays in Mike Rutenberg’s defense as the direct replacement for Devin Bush, who left for the Chicago Bears after his breakout 2025 season.
In the back end, Denzel Ward, Tyson Campbell, Grant Delpit, and Ronnie Hickman all are impact players, and there are other hybrid contributors who can wreak havoc, such as versatile rookie Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, who Oyefusi expects to be heavily involved.
This Browns defense has players at all levels that can and should make an impact this season. They should be one of the league’s best again this year with a young, hungry group that has a strong mix of meaningful, reliable veterans. And it’s going to be fun to watch.
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